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Period: to
Eventes that Lead to England's Limited Monarchy
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James I succeeds Elizabeth I as King
Elizabeth I consulted with Parliament occasionally. James I did not want Parliament because he believed that it hindered his divine right as king to rule England. He wanted absolutism. His belief lead to the Civil War because he fought against Parliament, which represented the people's beliefs. -
James I makes peace with Spain
This move was viewed as sympathy towards the Catholics instead of the largely Protestant England. Now James was not only challenging Parliament but the English religious system as set up by Elizabeth I. -
The Petition of Right
This document was presented to and signed by Charles I. It restricts extraparliamentary action, the quatering of soldiers, and martial law. It was presented in a deal in order to stop Charles from illegally taxing his people, who were frustrated by his actions and their inability to respond. -
Charles I locks out Parliament
James I prevents Parliament from meeting at Westminster Abbey for the next 11 years. He does so with the intention of stopping any interference with his divine rule. This further infuriates those in Parliament who want to have a limited democracy. -
Charles I collects Ship Money without consent of Parliament
Charles I enforced a tax on incoming ships to England, known as ship money. He did so without the permssion of Parliament, which caused an uproar because he was acting as an absolute monarch. -
Charles I and Archbishop Laud try to bring the English Church to Scotland
Charles I and Archbishop Laud tried to bring the Anglican faith to the Scottish Presbyterian Church. This failed and the Scots revolted. Charles was acting out his own wishes, not those of England and he was also oppressing the faith of another state. Such behavior further dirtied the absolutist picture. -
The Grand Remonstrance
This document listed several issues that the general public had with Charles I. It was a move toward trying to peacefully resolve the issue of Charles's absoltutist actions, but his response was feeble in that it gave weak excuses for his actions and why he would continue with those actions.
